|
|
|
|
 |
|
WomPom.ca
» Passport and Visa requirements |
|
Passports |
|
|
Most everyone requires a Passport, with a validity exceeding 6 months after the date of
entry, to enter VietNam. |
|
Day trippers from the bordering countries of Cambodia, China and Laos bearing Identity
Cards may enter VietNam for specified purposes such as agriculture or business. |
|
For all essential and practical purposes, viewers of this web site will not be eligible for
this bi-lateral privilege. |
|
VietNam recognises, and accepts, seamen's documentation for entry as ships crew. |
|
Passport must be valid for at least 6 months after date of arrival or 1 month after
expiration of visa required by all visitors to VietNam. |
|
|
Visas |
 |
|
Foreigners usually require a valid visa to enter VietNam; citizens of member countries of
ASEAN that have agreements with VietNam do not require a visa for entry for a period not exceeding 30 days. |
|
VietNam visa conditions generally mirror those imposed upon Vietnamese Nationals of the
Travellers home country (tit-for-tat). |
|
Citizens of Cambodia, China, Malaysia and Laos do not require to have such visas. |
|
|
Passport |
Passport? |
Visa? |
Return Ticket? |
|
British |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
Australian |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
Canadian |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
USA |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
EU-Other |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
Japanese |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
 |
|
Visas are required by all except: |
|
(a) |
nationals of Bulgaria, Cuba, Korea (Dem Rep) and Romania; |
|
(b) |
nationals of Malaysia and Thailand for 30 days; |
|
(c) |
nationals of the Philippines for 21 days; |
|
(d) |
transit passengers continuing their journey within 72 hours, provided holding valid return
or onward tickets. At present visas can be issued for either groups or individuals. |
|
For security, it is advisable to carry photocopies of documents rather than originals when
travelling in VietNam. |
|
Visa Classes |
|
|
|
Types of visa: Tourist: (single-entry), (express service), (multiple-entry).
Single-entry Business: (1 month). Multiple-entry Business: (1 month); (3 months); (6 months or more). |
|
Tourist visas are valid for 1 month from proposed date of entry. Visas can usually be
extended for another month, at extra cost, in the larger towns. |
|
Application requirements: (1) Completed application forms (Click). (2) One
passport-size photo (see note). (3) Valid passport (see note). (4) Fee (non-refundable), payable by cash or cheque. (5)
A stamped/prepaid self-addressed envelope or courier label. |
|
Business requirements: (1)-(4), and (5) an approval obtained through a Vietnamese
sponsor. |
|
Note: Photocopies of passports are acceptable but require two passport sized
photographs with application. The visa will be issued on a form. |
|
Do NOT ask for 'the cheapest visa' - specify the number of days
otherwise you will be given a 15-day visa that cannot be extended. |
|
There are also residential visas for Foreigners married to Vietnamese nationals or working
in VietNam as well as Diplomatic and other special visas. |
|
|
Visa application -
SPECIAL NOTE |
|
|
WomPom, one of the authors of this web site, has obtained over 50 visas for entry into
VietNam, and wants to share some experience in obtaining a visa. |
When applying for a visa ONLY submit:
- Passport
- Application form
(completed);
- ONE photograph;
- Visa fee;
- Prepaid return envelope (courier or Post Office). |
|
The reason you should send only ONE photograph is that the Vietnamese Embassy consular
officials will affix your visa in to your Passport - making it impossible to remove. |
|
There have been many cases at land crossing border posts where officials have 'confiscated'
the original 30-day visa and substituted a 10-day visa, with the option of 'extending' it to 30-days upon payment of
USD$20 - in other words, buying your original visa back. (Such charges are donations for the officials 'pensions'.) |
|
|
Visa application form |
|
|
WomPom has a Tourist visa application form
here. The
form, with instructions, in universal word processor RTF format is
here. |
|
|
|
